I found Bigger Pockets through Scott Trench’s book Set for Life, and have been enjoying the podcasts.

Welcome to bigger pockets !

Option 1 - 5% down payment, living in one bedroom side, renting two bedroom sideIncome: $650 (for the 2 bed side, while I live in the one bedroom side)Expenses: Vacancy 10%: $65 Insurance- $107Water - $70Taxes - $85Trash - $35Repair - $65Capex - $158Mortgage - $390PMI - $56Total Expenses - $1031Cash Flow: $-381Out of pocket, upfront costs - $8058Cash on Cash Return – (-56.7%)Option 2 – 20% down payment, living in one side, renting two bedroom sideIncome: $650 (for the 2 bed side, while I live in the one bedroom side)Expenses: Vacancy 10%: $65Insurance- $107Water - $70Taxes - $85Trash - $35Repair - $65Capex - $158Mortgage - $330Total - $915Cashflow: $- 265Out of pocket, upfront costs - $20,036Cash on Cash Return – (-15.87%)Option 3 - 5% down payment, renting both sidesIncome: $1100Expenses: Vacancy 10%: $65 Insurance- $107Water - $70Taxes - $85Trash - $35Repair - $65Capex - $158Mortgage - $390PMI - $56Total Expenses - $1031Cash Flow: $69 Out of pocket, upfront costs - $8058Cash on Cash Return: 10.27%Option 4 – 20% down payment, renting both sides Income: $1100 Expenses: Vacancy 10%: $65Insurance- $107Water - $70Taxes - $85Trash - $35Repair - $65Capex - $158Mortgage - $330Total - $915Cashflow: $185Out of pocket, upfront costs - $20,036Cash on Cash Return: 11.08%My goal is to live in one side for a year and then move out with the first two options I look at the negative cashflow as what I would pay in "rent" to live in my own house (rent is higher than both numbers in my area).

Our mortgage is a 30 year term - cash flow according to the bigger pockets form is just under 6,000 / year - not much but at least thats more money than 0 dollars a year.   

So far, I am looking into a few properties on west JAX in a small pocket surrounded by 3 highways (90, 10 & 295) in zip code 32220.Anyone has suggestions on whether this is a good area for rental?

Seen the life locals have to do just to get by - not a fan of 2 jobs plus seasonal side jobs.Read RDPD (rich dad poor dad) and it opened my eyes to the values of real estate.I plunged into the beginners guide offered by bigger pockets.

@Eddie AvilesWelcome to Bigger Pockets.

@Brant GarnerWelcome to Bigger Pockets.

He also checks up on me from time to time and notifies me his pocket listings.Good luck investing in the Lehigh Valley County!

I just joined bigger pockets and am in love with it and its community!